Heat exchange system for bodies of water

ABSTRACT

A heat exchange system is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the heat exchange system includes at least one tube having an input end associated and an output end, each associated with a body of water. A portion of the tube has an oval cross-section, and is disposed in a roof or attic space of a structure where warm air in the attic space causes the water in the tube to heat.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/807,008, filed on Jul. 11, 2006.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present application relates to a heat exchange system. More particularly, the present application relates to a system for heating or maintaining the temperature of water for use in swimming pools, hot tubs, spas or other systems by utilizing natural energy from a roof or attic space of an adjacent building.

BACKGROUND

In both northern and southern climates, temperatures are frequently low enough to cool a swimming pool below comfort levels. Accordingly, it is often necessary to heat the pool during the day to raise the water temperature to a comfortable level. Similarly, hot tubs, spas, and the like require heat to maintain appropriate temperatures.

Natural energy heating systems are known in the pool heating art. In one known embodiment, solar panels collect energy that is used to heat water. In another known embodiment, water is circulated through a heat exchanger located in a roof or attic space of a nearby building to utilize an existing source of warm air. In this embodiment, the heat exchanger includes a casing having air inlets and outlets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the drawings and description that follow, like elements are identified with the same reference numerals. The drawings may not be to scale and the proportion of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a heat exchange system;

FIGS. 2A-C are cross-sectional views of alternative embodiments of tubes for a heat exchange system;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of a tube plating system for use in a heat exchange system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a heat exchange system;

FIG. 5 is a planar view of an alternative embodiment of a tube for a heat exchange system; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of one embodiment of a control system for a heat exchange system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application is directed to a heating system for pools, hot tubs, spas, and the like. It should be understood that the use of the terms “pool” and “swimming pool” are exemplary only, and that the disclosed system may be used to heat any body or quantity of water, including quantities to be stored in an insulated tank. As will be described below, the system employs at least one pipe or tube. While the terms “pipe” and “tube” have distinct meanings in the art, it should be understood that the use of the term “tube” in the present application is exemplary only, and that the system may employ pipes, tubes, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a heat exchange system 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat exchange system 100 heats water in a pool 110. The pool 110 includes a water circulation system 120 and is adjacent to a building 130. The water circulation system 120 is a known system, such as a conventional water pump. In the illustrated embodiment, the building 130 is a house. In alternative embodiments, the building may be a pool house, recreation center, locker room, garage, outbuilding, barn, commercial structure, or any building having a framed or steel roof. The building 130 may be a preexisting building, or it may be erected at the time the heat exchange system 100 is installed. Similarly, the heat exchange system 100 may be employed in new swimming pools or may be retrofit to existing swimming pools. The swimming pool 110 may be an in-ground pool or an above ground pool. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the swimming pool 110 is replaced with an insulated tank.

The pool 110 is connected to at least one tube 140. In one embodiment, the at least one tube 140 is formed of a series of tubes. The series of tubes may be joined by threaded ends, compression fittings, welding, soldering, glue, or any other known method of joining. In one embodiment, the tubes are constructed of aluminum and are connected via aluminum fittings. In an alternative embodiment, the tubes are constructed of stainless steel and are connected via stainless steel fittings. More specifically, in one embodiment, the tubes are constructed of 300 series stainless steel and are connected via 300 series stainless steel fittings. In other alternative embodiments, the tubes may be constructed of black or galvanized steel, copper, ductile iron, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or any other known tube material.

The at least one tube 140 includes an input end 145 i and an output end 145 o, each being associated with the pool 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the input end 145 i of the at least one tube 140 is connected to the water circulation system 120 and the output end 145 o is directly connected to the pool 110. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the input end 145 i is directly connected to the pool 110. In one such an embodiment, the water circulation system 120 is adjacent to the pool 110 and is disposed to force water from the pool 110 into the at least one tube 140. In another such embodiment, the input end 145 i of the at least one tube 140 is disposed to receive water from the pool 110 via gravity or water pressure and the water circulation system 120 is connected to the at least one tube 140 at a location downstream of the input end 145 i. In yet another embodiment (not shown), the output end 145 o of the at least one tube 140 is connected to the water circulation system 120.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the at least one tube 140 is disposed along a side of the building 130 and inside an attic space 150 of the building 130. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the at least one tube 140 is disposed within the walls of the building 130, so as not to be visible. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), the at least one tube 140 is disposed on the roof of the building 130.

The attic space 150 of a building 130 is a known source of warm air. Air in an attic space 150 is naturally warmed by solar radiation and may also be warmed by a building heating system. When a portion of the at least one tube 140 is placed in the attic space 150, the warm air heats the at least one tube 140 via convection. The at least one tube 140 may also be heated via radiation and conduction. As the at least one tube 140 is heated, it, in turn, heats the internal water via conduction. In one embodiment, the portion of the at least one tube 140 in the attic space is constructed of aluminum or stainless steel. In alternative embodiments, the portion of the at least one tube 140 in the attic space is constructed of metal, such as black or galvanized steel, copper, or ductile iron. Such materials are known to be good conductors of heat.

In one embodiment, a portion of the at least one tube 140 is disposed vertically along ceiling rafters (not shown) within the attic space 150 of the building 130. The at least one tube 140 may be attached to the ceiling rafters via stainless steel brackets or other known couplings. In this embodiment, the at least one tube 140 includes multiple bends, thereby increasing the total length of the at least one tube 140 disposed within the attic space. The bends may be created by physically bending a straight tube, or by joining small lengths of tubes by elbow joints and/or other joints. In one embodiment, the bends in the at least one tube 140 are pre-formed. In an alternative embodiment, the bends in the at least one tube 140 are formed according to the dimensions of the ceiling rafters of a specific building 130. In this embodiment, the bends may be formed on-site or off-site.

In one embodiment, at least one fan 160 is employed to facilitate the convection heating of the at least one tube 140. In one embodiment (not shown), a fan is employed along each rafter. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), a single fan is employed.

In one embodiment, the portion of the at least one tube 140 extending from the attic space 150 to the output end 145 o is covered with an insulating material such as polystyrene, fiberglass, or other known insulation. The insulation helps maintain the temperature of the water within the at least one tube 140. Insulation may be particularly desirable when the system is used in a cooler climate, or where it is used to heat a hot tub, spa, or other such body of water to a high temperature. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the at least one tube 140 does not include insulation. Such an embodiment may be appropriate for warmer climates, where heat losses would be minimal.

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate examples of cross-sections of the at least one tube 140. FIG. 2A illustrates a tube 140 a having a circular cross-section 200. Tubes having circular cross-sections are readily available in the industry. FIG. 2B illustrates a tube 140 b having an oval-shaped cross-section 210. Such tubes may be manufactured or may be created by crimping an existing tube having a circular cross-section, such as the tube 140 a illustrated in FIG. 2A. In one embodiment, the tube 140 a is pressed to the formed shape to ensure the integrity of the tube.

In the illustrated examples, the tubes 140 a,b of FIGS. 2A and 2B have the same surface area. However, crimping a circular cross-section tube 140 a to create on oval-shaped cross-section 210 reduces the tube's volume, thereby increasing the surface-area-to-volume ratio. Increasing the surface-area-to-volume aids in heating the water, because a greater percentage of water in the tube is directly exposed to the tube surface.

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a tube 140 c having an oval-shaped cross-section 210 similar to the tube 140 b illustrated in FIG. 2B. Additionally, the tube 140 c includes at least one fin 220. The use of fins 220 creates more exterior surface area of the tube 140 c, thereby facilitating in the convection heating of the tube 140 c.

In alternative embodiments (not shown), tubes having a polygonal or irregular cross-section may be employed.

FIG. 3 illustrates a tube plating system 300 that facilitates installation of at least one tube 140 of a heat exchange system 100 in an attic space 150. In the illustrated embodiment, the tube plating system 300 is composed of an array of rectangular panels 310. The shape of the array and the number of panels in the array is determined by the shape and size of the roof of the building. In one embodiment, the rectangular panels are four feet long and two feet high. In an alternative embodiment, the rectangular panels are sized to fit between the roof rafters of a building. In another alternative embodiment, the panels are non-rectangular and are instead polygonal, circular, or irregularly shaped to fit between the roof rafters of a building. In one embodiment, the panels 310 are mounted in series. In an alternative embodiment, the panels 310 are mounted in parallel.

In the illustrated embodiment, round tubing 320 (i.e. at least one tube having a circular cross-section, such as tube 140 a, illustrated in FIG. 2A) is connected to the side of the building 130 and is joined with oval tubing 330 (i.e. a tube that has an oval cross-section, such as tube 140 b, illustrated in FIG. 2B) that is disposed within a panel 310. In one embodiment, the oval tubing includes one or more fins (such as tube 140 c, illustrated in FIG. 2C) to facilitate the exchange of heat. In the illustrated embodiment, the round tubing 320 is disposed along the exterior of the building 130. In alternative embodiments, the round tubing 320 is disposed along the interior of the building 130 or within the walls of the building 130.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the bottom of the oval tubing 330 is attached to the panel 310 by at least one connector 340. In one embodiment, the connector 340 is constructed of 22 or 32 gauge metal with a covering or coating added to increase heat inductance.

In the illustrated embodiment, an input end 330 i of the oval tubing 330 is disposed at the lower end of a floor 350 of the attic space 150 and the output end 330 o of the oval tubing 330 is disposed near the top or peak of the roof pitch 360 of the building 130. Further, in one embodiment, at least one fan 160 is disposed at the top or peak of the roof pitch 360 and is configured to blow downwards on the tube plating system 300.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a heat exchange system 400. This embodiment is generally similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1 and like numerals are used to illustrate like elements. The heat exchange system 400 includes a pool 110, a water circulation system 120, and a building 130 as described above. The heat exchange system 400 further includes at least one tube 140 having an input end 145 i and an output end 145 o, associated with the pool 110 as described above. The at least one tube 140 further includes a coiled portion 410 disposed in an attic space 150 of the building 130. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the coiled portion 410 of the at least one tube 140 is disposed on a roof of a building.

The coiled portion 410 of the at least one tube 140 has a greater surface area than a straight tube would have, and therefore facilitates convection heating of the at least one tube 140. In one embodiment, the coiled portion 410 of the tube 140 is manufactured. In an alternative embodiment, the coiled portion 410 of the tube 140 is created by crimping a straight tube. For example, 90-degree turns may be created in the tube 140 at appropriate locations to create the coils. In one embodiment, the coiled portion 410 is pre-formed. In an alternative embodiment, the coiled portion 410 is formed according to the pitch of the roof and the space available in the specific building 130. The coils may be formed on-site or off-site.

The heat exchange system 400 may further include one or more fans 160 to facilitate the convection heating of the at least one tube 140 in the attic space 150.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of at least one tube 140 employing a heating rod 500. The heating rod 500 is configured to be heated by a low voltage charge, and heats the water in the tube 140 via conduction. The heating rod 500 may be employed in the heat exchange systems 100, 300 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, to facilitate faster heating, when desired.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic of an exemplary control system 600 for a heat exchange system, such as the heat exchange systems 100, 300 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. With the control system 600, temperature of the water in the pool 110 is sensed by a sensor 610, which is connected to a controller 620. In one embodiment, a user enters a desired temperature in the controller 620. The controller 620 monitors the pool temperature through the sensor 610 and operates a valve 630 to cause water from the pool 110 to flow through the at least one tube 140 to the attic space 150 when the pool temperature falls below the desired temperature. If the pool temperature meets or exceeds the desired temperature, the controller 620 closes the valve 530 to bypass the attic space 150 and cause water to flow directly back to the pool 110.

While the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in some detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, on the illustrative embodiments shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept, such as warming a heat exchange fluid for deicer systems, radiant heat flooring, and the like. 

1. A heat exchange system comprising: at least one tube having an input end configured to be associated with a water circulating pump and an output end configured to be associated with a body of water, wherein a portion of the at least one tube has an oval cross-section, and wherein a portion of the at least one tube having an oval cross-section is configured to be disposed in a roof or attic space of a structure; at least one fin configured to be connected to the tube; and at least one fan configured to be disposed in a roof or attic space of a structure. 